mak6 mak6 mou4 jin4默默無言默默无言

Jyutpingmak6 mak6 mou4 jin4

Yalemahk mahk mòuh yìhn

Definition

To keep silent; to say nothing or not utter a word.

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How it's used

Although this is a four-character idiom, it is frequently used in modern spoken Cantonese to describe a state of quiet contemplation or a refusal to engage in conversation. It carries a slightly more literary or dramatic weight than simply saying 唔出聲. Use it when you want to emphasize the atmosphere of the silence rather than just the absence of speech.

Examples

keoi5佢co5坐hai2喺dou6度mak6默mak6默mou4無jin4言，hou2好ci5似jau5有sam1心si6事gam3咁。

He sat there in silence, as if he had something on his mind.

min6面deoi3對ni1呢go3個naan4難tai4題，daai6大gaa1家dou1都mak6默mak6默mou4無jin4言。

Faced with this difficult problem, everyone remained silent.

Common phrases

mak6默mak6默mou4無jin4言gam3咁co5坐

sitting in silence

jat1一zik6直mak6默mak6默mou4無jin4言

remained silent the whole time

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 默不作聲, which often implies a deliberate choice to remain quiet to avoid trouble or confrontation. 默默無言 is more neutral and can describe a sad or thoughtful mood.